In most states, well all of them except two, it’s required by law to carry car insurance. And no matter where you live, you need to be able to pay for any damage you incur while driving your car. So, insurance is something every driver needs to be concerned with.
Decide How You Want to Buy Car Insurance
Buying car insurance can be done in two ways. You can either buy directly from the insurance company, which looks something like this:
- Contacting various insurance companies, which can mean a lot of emails and telephone calls.
- Researching and taking notes on which plans are available and what benefits they have so you can compare the different choices
- Getting quotes
- Comparing quotes
- Pick a car insurance company and insure your car
- Cancel your old policy
Or, you could call an independent broker, like Penner & Fink and let us do all the legwork for you. We’ll reach out to various providers, compare quotes, find the best insurance for you and get back to you with a new policy application, ready to go. The choice is yours, but we think it’s an easy one. And, when you go through us, you’ll have an expert in your corner the whole time.
Decide How Much Coverage You Need
While it may seem like a lot to think about, this is one of the most important decisions about buying car insurance. There are different amounts you can purchase on each aspect of coverage. Some are required by law and some are required by your lending institution. And, when you’re comparing policies, it’s important to understand the lingo.
Liability. Covers the cost if it is your fault. This is the part that’s usually required by law. This can cover accidents, damage to property, or injuries to another person.
Personal Injury. Covers medical expenses and related costs if you or someone in your car is injured in an accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. Covers the cost if the accident is caused by someone who is not insured or whose insurance doesn’t cover the full amount of damage.
Collision. Covers the cost of damage to your vehicle in an accident no matter who is at fault.
Comprehensive. Covers your vehicle from things that can happen outside of an accident, such as weather, falling objects, fire, and theft.
Gap. Covers the difference in the value of your vehicle and what you owe on your loan if your car is totaled.
Roadside Assistance. Pays for things like having your door unlocked, towing to a service station, jump starts or tire changes.
New Car Replacement. Pays to have your car fully replaced usually within the first couple of years after ownership if your car is totaled.
Remember that the requirements by state are often too low for practical needs and could leave you on the hook for a lot of money if you are ever in an accident. Also consider the area you live in and how likely it is that you could have weather, fire, theft, etc. When comparing plans, make sure you are comparing by benefits and understand what they mean.
Filling Out The Application for Car Insurance
Part of the process of purchasing insurance is filling out the insurance application. This can be a daunting task because of all of the information you are expected to know. You can make it easier by gathering the necessary documents ahead of time and having them on hand as you fill in the form. These include the following for all drivers in your household:
- Names
- Birth dates
- Drivers Licenses
- Social Security numbers
- VINs (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Address
- Current Car Insurance Declarations Page
As you go through the application, we can help you answer any questions you may have. It’s always nice to have someone who understands insurance to guide you through the process and help you get any discounts you may qualify for.
Get Quotes and Compare Quotes for Car Insurance
Once you fill in your application, you will be able to get quotes back specific to your situation. We can help you compare these quotes and make a good decision based on your needs. We help people all day long. It’s what we love about our jobs. We make it easy to buy insurance.
Once you make your choice about which car insurance is best for you, and you have purchased your plan, you have one more step.
Cancel your old insurance policy
Don’t cancel your old policy until your new policy has taken effect. You don’t want to leave any gaps in coverage. Once your policy is in effect, contact your old policy provider to cancel your policy. This is usually a fairly simple process.
So, that’s it. If you’d like to talk to one of our specialists, please reach out and we’d love to help you with your insurance needs.